We are live at International Convention Centre, Newport for the Reform UK Welsh Manifesto Launch

AS a 22-year-old reporter from west Wales, I did not expect to be one of the few journalists in the room — and the only woman among them — at Reform UK’s Welsh manifesto launch in Newport on Thursday.

But as Nigel Farage walked into the International Convention Centre to loud applause from supporters who had paid £5 to attend, the press seats quickly filled with around thirty reporters waiting to question him and the party’s Welsh leader, Dan Thomas.

What followed was part campaign rally, part policy launch — and a clear attempt by Reform to put immigration at the centre of the upcoming Senedd election campaign.

When the opportunity for questions came, I asked the one issue that immediately raised eyebrows in the room.

Wales does not control immigration — that power sits firmly with Westminster and the UK Border Force — so what could a Reform Welsh Government realistically do?

Dan Thomas did not shy away from the constitutional reality.

“You’re quite right, we don’t control immigration,” he said.

“The UK Government and border forces are meant to be doing that and they’re not. We understand that.”

But he said a Reform-led Welsh Government would still take action by removing what he described as “pull factors” created by Welsh Government policy.

He singled out the Welsh Government’s Nation of Sanctuary programme — introduced in 2019 to support refugees and asylum seekers already placed in Wales by the Home Office.

“Our position is clear,” he said.

“We would end the Nation of Sanctuary policy immediately and we would halt the housing of illegal immigrants and asylum seekers in Wales in whatever form we can — whether that’s hotels or local authority arrangements.

“If that means legislative changes or challenging Westminster directly, then so be it.”

Nigel Farage later reinforced the message during his closing remarks, telling supporters immigration had become a defining political issue.

“The public are really angry and they want action on this,” he said.

“We’ve heard it all before from governments — ‘stop the boats’, ‘smash the gangs’, ‘if you come illegally you’ll be deported’ — but the problem continues.”

The event briefly turned chaotic when a heckler began shouting during Farage’s speech in an attempt to drown him out.

Security staff quickly stepped in and escorted the protester out of the hall.

As the doors closed behind him, many in the crowd clapped before Farage calmly resumed his speech.

Beyond immigration, Reform used the event to outline a wider programme for Wales.

Among the pledges were scrapping Wales’ default 20mph speed limit, prioritising long-term residents for social housing, and reviving plans for an M4 relief road around Newport.

But the tension at the heart of the debate remains clear.

Immigration policy is controlled by Westminster, not the Senedd. Any attempt by a Welsh Government to block asylum accommodation or refuse cooperation with the Home Office would almost certainly trigger legal and constitutional battles.

Supporters of the Nation of Sanctuary policy say it reflects humanitarian values and helps refugees already placed in Wales integrate into communities and employment.

Critics argue it sends the wrong signal at a time when migration remains one of the UK’s most divisive political issues.

From the press seats in Newport, it was clear Reform is betting that frustration with Westminster — and Cardiff Bay — will resonate with voters.

For communities in west Wales, where housing shortages and pressure on public services are often discussed alongside asylum placements, the issue is likely to feature heavily during the campaign.

And for one young reporter who travelled from west Wales to cover the launch, it was a reminder that sometimes the most important moment at a political event is simply getting the chance to ask the question.

Motorist admitted being in charge of vehicle while unfit through drugs

A WOMAN has been sentenced after being found “drooling” in a parked car after taking a cocktail of drugs.

Police and ambulance crews were called by a concerned member of the public who reported seeing a man and woman apparently unconscious inside a Suzuki Alto parked in Kilgetty on October 16.

“The male and female appeared to be unconscious and were drooling from their mouths,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The engine wasn’t running, but the member of the public was concerned that when they roused, they might attempt to drive away.

“She thought it was possible they had taken an overdose.”

When police arrived around 30 minutes later, they found the pair still slumped over in the back seat of the vehicle.

“They were still drooling and appeared unconscious,” continued Ms Vaughan.

“When officers spoke to Elizabeth King, it was obvious she was confused and inconsistent about the events.”

Subsequent drug tests showed that King, 32, of Meadow View, Station Road, St Clears, had several drugs in her system, including cocaine, benzoylecgonine, EME, pregabalin and norcocaine.

King pleaded guilty to being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drugs.

Representing her in court, solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates that the defendant is a recovering heroin addict.

“Despite this addiction, she has managed to remain of previous good character,” he said.

“This is the first time she has appeared before the court.”

King was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge. Her driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.

Court hears of grenade and sword threats during family dispute

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sentenced after threatening to throw a grenade at his sister and hack her head off with a sword.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that Charles Bianchy, 37, became angry after believing his mother was giving money to his sister but not to him.

“He felt he wasn’t being afforded the same luxury and began sending his sister communications on social media,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“His social media posts made threats towards his sister, stating he would smash her head on a kerb, use it for target practice and throw a grenade at her. He also said he would hack her head off with a sword, and called her a nonce and a c***.”

Ms Vaughan said the defendant’s sister, Daisy Bianchy, urged him to remove the posts and warned that she would contact the police if he refused.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Daisy Bianchy said she believed the incident had been a wake-up call for her brother.

“I think this has given him a bit of a scare,” she said. “He was saying all these things, but you can’t make such unpleasant comments in public these days.”

Bianchy, of Pembroke Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to sending communications threatening death or serious harm.

He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who told the court the defendant suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and experiences hallucinations, anxiety and episodes of psychosis.

“He certainly didn’t intend to carry out any of these threats, as throwing a grenade is something you can only do if you’re in the army,” said Mr Kelleher. “He’s deeply remorseful for what he did.”

Magistrates fined Bianchy £120 and ordered him to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs. An 18-month restraining order was also imposed preventing him from contacting his sister.